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M*A*S*H's Colonel Potter in Fine Woodworking

Stephen Scott, associate editor

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Actor Harry Morgan appeared in this ad for finishing products by Carver Tripp, which is no longer in business. Click to enlarge image.

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Awhile back, our publisher Anatole Burkin posted a blog entry about a wacky ad in an old issue of Fine Woodworking. He encouraged folks to post others. Here's one I stumbled across in issue #33. Apart from Scott Phillips, and of course Norm, I think Harry Morgan may be the only celebrity endorser in the long history of Fine Woodworking. Please let me know if I'm wrong.

I thought Col. Potter's hobbies were horses and scotch. Speaking of which, anybody care for a tumbler of Liquid Plastic?

For what it's worth, I think Potter's predecessor, Col. Henry Blake, was a more likely woodworker. He prized his antique oak desk which, in an early episode, was partially cannibalized by underlings for firewood. That prompted Blake's classic complaint to headquarters. "They've gone too far! To cut off a man's legs, and steal his drawers!"

Thank you. That will be all.

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Friday Afternoon: Will Announce Shaker Challenge Winner

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And the Winner of Fine Art of Carving Lovespoons is...

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Comments (6)

Anatole writes: I think I still have a few cans of Carver Tripp finishes collecting dust in a corner of my shop. Shows you how well I keep up with maintenance.

Collector's item? Maybe someone on eBay will buy them.
Posted: 5:49 pm on April 28th

ctsjr82 writes: One of my favorite episodes was when Hotlips and Burns hired a local to carve a bust of Colonel Potter, and the bust looked like the carver! Hotlips: "That looks just like you" Local Carver: "Thank you." Man I miss that show! Tom
Posted: 4:13 pm on April 28th

sscott writes: Thanks for mentioning that, ctsjr82 - that was a great one. I remember Blake staring up at the helicopter as it airlifts his desk into the sunset.
Trapper: “Sending it out to be waxed, Henry?” Wonderful stuff.

Posted: 1:04 pm on April 28th

sscott writes: Oooh - sharp eye, Tim! It might actually be Gannon, but only if “This is the City…”
I wish our website had video of Gannon’s partner, Joe Friday, lecturing some youthful offender about tablesaw safety. He always meant business.

Posted: 1:03 pm on April 28th

timquinn writes: Are you sure that's not Bill Gannon?
Posted: 10:08 am on April 28th

ctsjr82 writes: As I recall, Hawkeye and Trapper John sold the prized oak desk to the black market for penicillin needed by the 4077. What a great show.
Posted: 6:49 pm on April 27th

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